Women Congregations

ASSISI SISTERS OF MARY IMMACULATE (A.S.M.I.)

The Congregation of Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate was founded by Msgr. K.W.Thomas in 1949 in the Diocese of Ernakulam in Kerala. It was raised to the Pontifical status on 28th April 1986. He was inspired to found this congregation as a Franciscan Congregation rooted with the charism of radiating the compassionate love of Jesus in joyful service to the sick, needy, poor and rejected brethren specially the lepers.

Assisi sisters fulfill their mission through the ministry of healing among the lepers HIV/AIDS Patients and other sick and afflicted, hearing and visually impaired, mentally challenged and evangelization. We founded our first house in the diocese of Vijayawada at Theresa Nagar, Nuzvid in 1980.

This diocesan Congregation was founded in 1914 at Nandanam by Fr. Silvio Pasquali PIME with the motto, ‘Spread the light of Christ’. They started their first house in the diocese at Avanigadda in 1918 which was later closed. The members devote themselves to educational work, care of orphans, the sick and especially to catechetical work in the missions. Currently they are serving in many parishes of the diocese.

Don Bosco Convent was established in 1932, as there were no Catholic institutions in Nandigama or in nearby villages though all these villages were catholic villages. The opening of the convent and the school were took place to catechize the people and educate the children. Till 1978 the school was managed by the Diocesan priests. Most Rev. Joseph Thumma, Bishop of Vijayawada handed over the school to the congregation in 1978 at the time of Rev. Sr. Celestina as second superior General. In order to educate mainly the poor and the abandoned girl students with shelter and basic needs an Orphanage was established in 1984 and the sisters managed the boy’s hostel till 1985. The school was shifted to the present place in 1987 and was upgraded into a high school in 1988, when Sr. Marianna was the superior and Headmistress of the school and Convent.

St. Theresa’s Convent was established in 1970 by Rev. Fr. Mario Fumagalli at the time of Rev. Sr. Enrichetta as Mother General of catechist sister of St. Ann (C.S.A). It was opened by Rev. Mother Elija Goup and blessed by Rev. Bishop Joseph Thumma D.D

The congregation was founded in 1898 by Mother Serefina Farolfi, at Bertinoro, Italy. They are working in Agiripally parish in the diocese. The Sisters devote themselves primarily to the care and instruction of children of all age group in schools and colleges. They conduct foundling homes, homes for the aged, homes for children and working girls, dispensaries and health centers for the poor in the villages. There are about 600 sisters working in different countries. They began their work in the diocese on 19th June 1996 at Agiripalli in collaboration with the MSFS Fathers in the Eng. Med. School.

With the invitation of Rt. Rev. Joseph Thumma & Rev. Fr. Mathew Parinthirikal OFM Cap established the house on 26th August 1998 and it was blessed by Msgr. Jacob Kanjirathinkal with the motto to carry the mysteries.
Activities: Formation, Social and pastoral apostolate, Clerical work in Thamby Ashram.
This house is mainly for formation. We started the formation in 2003. Every year we have a good number of candidates from different states for come and see programme. This year we have 13 candidates from five states.

We the sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Bordeaux were founded in1820 by Venerable Fr. Pierre Bienvenu Noailles in France. He lived through a very interesting and turbulent period in the history of France. The country witnessed great changes in the political, social, religious and economic sphere. Inevitably, the Founder’s thought and work were influenced by his background, environment and the era in which he lived.

Fr. Noailles was alert to the needs of his day; he has also at pains to discern the aspirations of those who wanted to dedicate themselves in the Holy Family and he had a profound respect for each one. He founded seven different groups; watch to meet a specific need. Today at present we have five groups. They are: 1. Apostolic religious 2. Contemplative Sisters 3. Consecrated Seculars 4. Lay Associates 5. Priest Associates. We are working in twenty eight countries all over the world. In India, our congregation was started on 31st of August 1978 in Pavunjur, Tamilnadu. We have 9 communities in India. 6 communities are in Tamilnadu and the other 3 communities in Andhra Pradesh, respectively in Cuddapah, Vijayawada, and Eluru. Our provincial house is in Tamil Nadu.

Beginning of our ministry in Ramanakkapeta was in a rented house at Akkiredigudam 5km away from the main parish and our house was inaugurated on Trinity Sunday, 18th June 2000. We started our ministry by collaborating in the pastoral, catechetical, educational and women development projects of the Parish. We were able to put up a building to answer the needs of the community and its various ministries on 8th January 2003 and it was opened and blessed by Rt. Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu, Bishop of Vijayawada. We are entrusted to different ministries in our community which are teaching, evangelization, tailoring, boarding and RBC. Our ministries are mainly focused on to uplifting the women poor and marginalized. At present, we are 6 members in our community.

The Congregation of Sisters of Charity of Nazareth was founded in the year 1812 in Kentucky, U.S.A. in order to attend to the needs of the immigrant population. Following the Rules of St. Vincent De Paul, the Patron Saint of Sister of Charity of Nazareth the sisters found themselves caring for the orphans, sick and the immigrants in the earlier days. Besides India and Nepal, also minister in Africa, Latin and central Americas and U.S.A. The congregation was founded by Bishop John Baptist David and Mother Catherine Spalding.

In 1947 six Sisters from the U.S.A were invited to the diocese of Patna to a village named Mokama to attend to the sick and the poor. Since then our mission Statement continues to impel us to work for justice in solidarity with the oppressed peoples, especially the economically poor, women and to care for the earth. Over the sixty years our charism and the pioneering spirit have energized us to respond to the needs of the oppressed through the care of orphans, leprosy patients, the mass health and educational needs of the Dalits and tribals in the earlier days in Bihar and Jharkhand mainly through our response to the rural healthcare, education, social and pastoral needs. In the recent times they take care of persons with HIV/AIDS, their rehabilitation and care in India, Nepal and Africa; Prison ministries, rehabilitation of commercial sex workers, collaborating with other in identifying and challenging unjust systems wherever they are found. We also minister through formal schools and hospitals and health centers in India and Nepal. In the year 2009 Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu welcomed us to work in Musunuru parish.

On 30th of July 2009, three sisters belong to SCN began the new mission in Musunuru parish in Vijayawada diocese. They are engaged in social and pastoral ministry and teaching in St. Eugene’s English Medium School run by the OMI Congregation.

The Congregation of the sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore takes pride in tracing its origin to a venerable and distinguished great Missionary of India in the 18th century Late Rt. Rev. Msgr. Stephen Louis Charbonnaux of the Paris Foreign Missions in the year 1857. It is the first Indian Women Religious Congregation, founded in Bangalore in order to impart Catholic Education and moral instruction especially to the poor youth and children. This congregation took to teaching and catechizing the children in schools and orphanages as their main Apostolate. The main Charism is “Evangelization through Loving Service”. The Congregation has made substantial contribution to the area, especially among the non-English speaking population, the underprivileged youth, children, the poor and down trodden for which it was founded. The Holy See has raised this Congregation to the status of Religious Congregation of Pontifical Right, in the year 1992 thus recognizing the growth and development of the Congregation and its place in the Universal Church.

At present the Congregation has 625 professed sisters and 25 Novices. Its 93 houses are spread out in 29 Dioceses of India and 3 Dioceses abroad, working with great zeal and enthusiasm for the continued and effective presence of the Local Church, the Congregation and the people at large with its motto as “Love and Service”. For the effective administration and growth of the Congregation, it has been divided into 3 Provinces and a Vice-Province, covering all the existing convents. The Sacred Heart Province is one of the three Provinces of the Congregation spread out in the States of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand with a total of 28 Communities. The total number of sisters in the Province is 168.

It was indeed a memorable day for the sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore at Ibrahimpatnam. It was not only the birth day of Bishop Joseph Thumma, His Lordship but also the birth of a new mission, which had cherished in his heart for a long time. On the same day the foundation stone was laid for St. Mary’s Convent & Premnikethan; the home for the mentally challenged was one of his long cherished dreams. In the following year on the same day 19th December 1993, His Lordship Joseph Thumma blessed the newly constructed convent building and handed it over to the Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore as his birthday gift. On the same day the foundation stone was laid for ‘Premnikethan’ special school for the mentally challenged children. And on November 4, 1996 His Lordship Bishop Joseph Thumma blessed it and was inaugurated by Adityanand Das I. A. S, the then Joint Collector for Krishna district.

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny was founded by Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey on May 12, 1807. Now spread throughout the world in all the five continents, the sisters are engaged in teaching, nursing and all kinds of missionary and social work. Their Charism is total availability to the will of God. According to the statics of 1994 the total numbers of sisters are 3175 in 55 countries belonging to 57 nationalities.

In India, they have four provinces: South–East India, South – West, India, South India and North India. On the invitation of the Bishop of Vijayawada, the Province of South – East India founded their house at Nagayalanka in August 1986. They have an annexed house in the island parish of Yesupuram. Since 1993 they have also been serving at Woodpeta. They also opened a Satellite community at Nidamarru, Bantumilli parish.

To meet the pastoral and social needs of the people, Bishop Joseph Thumma invited the St. Joseph of Cluny Sisters to work in this area on 20th August 1986. The Purpose of our presence in this area is to deepen the faith of the people, to carry on direct and indirect evangelization, Health ministry and Socio – Economic Developmental work.

The present house was built by the Jesuits Fathers as living quarters for those who came for relief work. The present children’s hostel and the dispensary was an old cinema theater Gayathri was bought by the Diocese. It was used for the relief work. During flood time many children were drop outs from the school and many young girls were idle at home due to poverty and no school facilities. The theater was used for needle work classes, hostel for children and dispensary. When the cyclone of 1990 blew off the roof, we have to move the works to the convent and went back when it was renovated and modified.

Ever since our congregation started new missions in various parts of A.P, we serve the need of community in the city of Vijayawada to give hospitality and rest for the sisters who come to the tour for various works. The community was blessed by Most Rev. Joseph Thumma on 23rd October 1993. The pioneers assisted in the parish catechetical and pastoral work. To help the unemployed women and school dropout young girls we started the tailoring, embroiding and hand work on 5th January 1994 with 23 young women. In 1977 sisters started to work in schools of Christurajpuram and Nedumaru.
No. of members in the House : 09
Superior : Sr. Saline
Address : Maria Nivas Convent
H. No. 36-8-4, Woodpet
Vijayawada – 520 010
Krishna Dt.
Tel : (0866) 248 18 20

Yesu Nilayam, Yesupuram (2008)

From the beginning of Nagayalanka community (1986), we were working in Yesupuram. In 1992 February, the director of Social Service Center, with the permission of the then Bishop Joseph Thumma invited us to stay and work in Yesupuram. Therefore from 1993, October onwards, the new community began to stay there as an annex to Nagayalanka Community. Sensing the spiritual needs of the people and place, Yesupuram was made as a parish and sisters were given the privilege of having Holy Mass daily. The people expressed their desire to have sisters permanently in their midst. So, the community of Yesupuram was canonically erected on 31st Oct 2008 in the name of Divine Mercy and blessed by Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu. The sisters engage in educational, medical care and Pastoral work. One sister is working in the Diocesan Telugu medium school and another sister is working in the dispensary. The latter, thrice a week she goes to other islands and villages with medicine in our mobile boat, where there are no other facilities. The other sister is engaged in the social work.

In 1996, St. Joseph of Cluny sisters started to work in Nedumaru, a village in the parish of Bantumilli. After seven years of work in Nedumaru they were asked to take up the village Mulaparu. Sisters work in different fields; pastoral, educational and social work.

The congregation of Teresian Carmelites (C.T.C), the first Carmelite indigenous congregation of India was founded by Servant of God Mother Eliswa Vakayil Koonammvu in the Diocese of Varapoly on 13th February, 1866. Candidates both from Latin and Syrian rites were accepted and they grew in number. But the congregation was divided based on the rites as per the Decree of Pope Leo XIII in the year 1887. Later, the sisters of Syrian rite remained at Koonammavu (CMC).

CTC congregation was elevated to the status of an institute of Pontifical rite with a Decree issued by the Sacred Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 1971. They are serving 48 dioceses with 159 convents in India, Germany, Italy and Sudan. Their Charism aims at an intimate and contemplative union with God, Apostolic zeal for Souls and a special devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The sisters dedicate themselves in the apostolate Prayer, Christian Education, running of Orphanages, Old age Homes, missionary activities, healing ministry, women empowerment Programmes, family apostolate, social work and prison ministry, who keep the light of love and service imbibing the spirit of Mother Eliswa whose cause of beatification was introduces in the archdiocese of Varapoly on 30th May 2008.

In 2001 the houses in AP were formed as a Region and placed under St. Joseph’s province Kerala. There are nine houses and 61 sisters in this Region out of which 3 houses and 18 sisters are working in the diocese of Vijayawada. The first house was founded at Gampalagudem in 1987; the house at Kanuru was opened in 1999 and at Jakkampudi in 2006.

These Sisters belong to the congregation of the Teresian Carmelites (C.T.C). It is the first indigenous congregation started in Kerala in 1866. We came to Andhra Pradesh in 1978. On 6th July 1987, when father Simon stock was the parish priest of Sacred Heart Mission at Gampalagudem, we the CTC sisters opened our convent here with the name San Jose Bhavan. The late Bishop of Vijayawada Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph Thumma was a very great help for us spiritually and financially. In the same year we also started our English medium school with K.G. Section. At present we have English Medium High school, orphanage for girls, women development programme and also helping in the parish activities. At present there are 6 sisters in the community.

It is established in the diocese of Vijayawada on Dec 1998. The foundress of the congregation is Rev. Mother Eliswa. These sisters are engaged in teaching in school and catechism, helping in the parish and house visiting.

Carmel Rani Formation house was blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Prakash Mallavarapu on 5th August 2006. There are at present 3 professed sisters, 1 junior sister and 2 candidates. The sisters dedicate themselves in the apostolate of prayer and family visits.

The Congregation of daughters of the most precious blood was founded by Bl. Thomas Maria Fusco on 6th January 1873 in Italy. In the second half of the 19th century, there was a revolutionary movement in Italy. During those years of uncertainty and persecution, the children and young girls were orphaned and most of the people had gone through the suffering and poverty. Bl. T. M. Fusco’s heart was in pain at the sight of so many orphans left to themselves without spiritual, corporal and human assistance.

He discussed his feelings with Bishop Formassiano and got the permission to start a congregation. He discovered in three good, pious and young ladies those necessary for the religious life. He gave formation to them and received the religious habbit on 6th January 1873. The first orphanage was started with seven children and given to the care of these three sisters.Fulfilling the dream of founder, on 1983 started a house in India; in Kerala. Now houses have spread to Orissa, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The spirit of the Bl. T. M. Fusco still lives on especially through the members of the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood. Today more than 700 sisters are all around the world especially Italy, USA, Brazil, India, Nigeria, Philippines and Indonesia.

The congregation aims at deriving and reflecting upon the most vivid image of that divine charity with which the Most Precious Blood of Jesus was shed. With this mission congregation sisters dedicate themselves to brothers and sisters to fulfill the services of education of children and of youth, assistance of the sick, the elderly and the orphans and evangelization both at home and abroad with particular reference to catechetical activities. The first community in diocese was started on 19th August 2009 in Jagannadhapuram with three sisters.

With the invitation of Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu, our community Jyothi Nivas was started in Jagannadhapuram in the year 2009 to give pastoral assistance to the parish faithful, health care program, women’s welfare and activities as well as vocational training for the school drop outs in the rural villages of the area.

This congregation was founded by Rev. Sr. Petra Dinadasi, a German Ursuline nun in 1969 at a remote village Pattuvam, in the district of Kannur. The sisters of Dinasevana Sabha devote themselves to the service of the poor especially in remote rural areas with the aim of aiding the poor with various developmental scheme and catering to their spiritual and physical welfare through the family apostolate, village work, dispensary, small scale workshops, asylum for the aged and disabled, orphanages, leprosy control programmes, schools for the mentally retarded, deaf and dumb etc., At present they have 560 sisters and 58 houses in India, Germany and Italy.

They opened their first house in Vijayawada Diocese on 29th June 1996 at Chillakallu serving the Home for the Aged. This home for the Aged had been shifted to Thukkuluru near Nuzvid where Fr. John Leoncini PIME constructed a spacious building for the same purpose. At present the sisters at Chillakallu are running a Boarding for Elementary school girls. Recently they have also opened an electronic stabilizer unit to help the school-dropout girls.

DISCALCED NUNS OF THE ORDER OF THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF MOUNT CARMEL (SECOND ORDER)(O.C.D.)

Each Convent of this order is autonomous and the members are dedicated to a contemplative life of prayer, penance and work within the Convent. To allow souls to live a life hidden with Christ in God, some hermits living on Mount Carmel were given a Rule by St. Albert. Saracen invasions caused them to disperse and go to Europe. The rule was then mitigated and only in the 16th Century St. Teresa of Avila restored it to its pristine fervor. This Congregation established the Carmel Ashram of Our Lady of Velangani in this diocese in 1980.

Msgr. Ramon Zubieta and Bl. Ascension Nicol, the Dominicans in Peru, South America are the founders of the Dominican Missionary Sisters of the Rosary on 5th October 1918. The first mission house was opened in the Peruvian forest to work for the human promotion of the natives. Later on Congregation spread out to the whole world. Now we are present in five continents. Our charism is to evangelize the poor in the missionary situations where the Church needs us more, mainly with women and children. In the year 1950 we opened our first house in India in Gujarat with five Spanish sisters responding to the invitation of Jesuit fathers. Now we have communities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. We serve the poor particularly women and children through medical, social, educational and pastoral. We opened our first house in the diocese on 1st June 2006. This is the first house in Andhra Pradesh. Now we are in the rented.

House in the Diocese : 01
Members in the Diocese : 03
No. of Candidates : 05

This is the first house in Andhra Pradesh. The main purpose of this house is to help the Candidates from South India to complete their Intermediate and initiate them to our way of life. We were first in Kankipadu parish in a rented house for a year. Due to the inconvenience of the student’s studies we moved to Gurunanak colony, Vijayawada.

The Franciscan Clarist Congregation was founded in 1888 at Changanacherry in Kerala. The Franciscan Clarist Congregation is of Pontifical Rite recognized by the Apostolic See in the Syro-Malabar Archiepiscopal Church, in the Catholic Church. The administration of the Congregation is done according to its Constitution, the TOR Rule and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO). The charism of the congregation is a life of poverty, humility, hard work and prayer, which originates from a personal love for the crucified Lord. This Congregation strives to achieve its goal through apostolic activities like care of the destitute, education, religious instruction, mission work, care of the sick, social service and apostolate of mass media. It is the second indigenous religious Congregation of India and with 6126 Sisters it has the highest number of members. Their work in the diocese started at Avutapally on 08.09.1979. Sisters work in old age home, parish, stall and shrine of Bro. Joseph Thambi and dispensary. It is very happy to note that we have a saint – the first woman saint of India – St. Alphonsa is from Franciscan Clarist Congregation. She is canonized on 12th October 2008.

The Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysuis Gonzaga (FASG) Founded by Rev. Fr. Michael Ansaldo SJ in 1775, at Puducherry, India. FSAG was to promote the Glory of God through personal sanctification the apostolate of Christian education of women and care of the orphans. Sr. Annamma FSAG was the Co- Foundress of the Congregation. The Congregation was upgraded to the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi by Pope Leo XIII on 18 July, 1886. The Order has around 800 Sisters. Besides working in Southern states (125 communities) in India they also serve in different countries like Italy, Germany, Egypt and Burma.

The Charism of the Congregation is to show preferential love and give fuller life to the afflicted in our society especially to the oppressed, poor, the abandoned women, the helpless children and the like, and thus to try our best to reveal in the church to all, the Christ who heals the afflicted. Apostolate: FSAG Sisters dedicated to bring “Good News to the Poor”. They are ready to go everywhere and to everyone to learn and to receive as much as to give. You can find them especially among the poor, orphans, abandoned and rural areas. They work for evangelization, social action, social work, education, health care, prison ministry and youth ministry.

The Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, with the charism of ‘Gospel to the poor’, in line with the spirit of St. Aloysius, the founder. At the invitation of Bishop Joseph Thumma in the year 1986, we took up this new mission area known as Manginipudi to co-operate with the parish evangelization, women organization, Health care, education and building up of basic Christian and human communities.

In order to have accessibility to the mission work, in the year1990 Rev. Fr. Yadala Balaswamy had started the hostel and school for the children of the fishermen and dalit people of this area for their education. After his death, the parish school and hostel in charge was given to the HGN priests. Then in the year 2006, the school and girls hostel completely handed-over to the Franciscan sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga.

Little Flower convent was blessed by most Rev. Joseph Thumma and opened by Rev. Mother Nambikai Mary, mother General, St. Louis de Gonzaga, Pondicherry on 19th April 1991. Their motto is “Good news to the poor”. They aspire to carry out this motto in their life and ministry in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and with the spirit of St. Aloysius Gonzaga.

Even till 19th Century women were considered as slaves and as second class citizens. So our founder Rev. Fr. Louis Savenien Dupuis was convinced that promoting the education of women was the only way to nurture the dignity of women and to raise the standard of the families. On this basis of vision on 16th October 1844 with the blessings of the Holy Father pope Gregory XV1 and the approval of Mgr. Clement Bonnand the seed of our congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pondicherry was sown in a humble manner. Our congregation was affiliated to the Franciscan third order on 23rd February 1859, and it was aggregated to the same on 18th July 1886. From March 14, 1997 Andhra Province has begun to function with 29 houses and 98 sisters having the Provincialate at Keesara. The total number of members in our congregation is 1080. The Holy See raised our congregation to pontifical status on 25.09.1978. They came to serve the people to Andhra Pradesh in 1969 and in Vijayawada on 19.01.1977.

The Institute of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary was founded by Mother Mary of the Passion in Ootacamund in the Niligiris on 6th January, 1877. The core of their charism is unconditional self offering for the sake of the mission, drawing out strength in prayer especially from the Eucharist. They live their charism like Mary and Francis engaged in all types of ministries in order to respond to the needs of the people. They founded their house in Vijayawada in 1958.

The Congregation was founded in 1862 in Cremona, Italy, by the Duchess Laura Leroux de Bauftremont and was sustained by the guidance of Fr. Gregorio Fioravanti OFM. The members engage in educational, medical and social works. They founded their first house in India in 1976 at Machilipatnam.

The Community of Little Flower Convent was started in this diocese on 8th February, 1980. We render our service through educating the children, village apostolate, pastoral activities, and social work. We are also in charge of the Diocesan Hostel for the girls.

F.M.S.H founded their first house in India in 1976 at Machilipatnam and they started their Novitiate house in 1981 at Labbipet in Vijayawada. Sr. Georgina Vilongayil was the first Novice Mistress. She rendered her service till 1986. From 1986 Sr. Maddalena Moro was the in charge of the novices. From 1994 Sr. Ansamma Pullikattil was the Mistress. In 1996 they shifted their novitiate house from St. Clare’s Convent Labbipet to St. Joseph’s Studentate Carmel Nagar. From2003 to 2009 Sr. Mini Joseph was the mistress. At present Sr. Mercy Jacob is the Novice Mistress. The formation of the Aspirants is also amalgamated in to this formation house.

The Society of the Missionary Sisters of Charity was founded by Mother Teresa in 1958 in the city of Calcutta. The special aim of the Society is to work for the salvation and sanctification of the poor in the slums by nursing the destitute, the sick and the dying by gathering and teaching little street children, by giving shelter to the abandoned, irrespective of caste and creed. They founded their house in Vijayawada in 1972 at Pezzonipeta and in 1981 shifted to the Krishna Lanka area, having the home for the sick and dying destitude at Bandar Road and abandoned children in Krishna Lanka. We have three houses in Vijayawada diocese.

The Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate was founded on 8th December 1936 by Mother Guiseppina Dones and Mother Igilda Rodolfi (Foundresses) inspired by Bl. Paolo Manna PIME (Inspirer) and helped by Msgr. Lorenzo Maria Balconi PIME (Co-founder), in Milan, Italy. Bl. Paolo Manna gave “Thy Kingdom Come” as its motto. The charism of this congregation is ‘the living passion to proclaim God’s Kingdom to all people.’ And it is carried out through direct evangelization. The members are also engaged in social, educational, medical services and integral promotion of people (persons), giving also importance to the needs of the people according to the signs of the times. Sisters are engaged in rendering services to the leprosy affected patients and also have specially launched into the care and support centre programmed (HIV/AIDS), giving shelter and counseling to the persons affected and infected persons. The first house in India was started at Gudivada in the diocese of Vijayawada in 1948.

This is the Provincial House of the Vijayawada Province. In this community mainly administrative activity is carried out. Many student Sisters stay here and go to different colleges. There is a separate house attached to the provincial house where meetings, seminars, retreats are conducted. Sisters go for family visits, pastoral work, etc. This community consists of Provincial direction and administrative members, Sisters who are involved in pastoral and catechetical work, student Sisters, sick Sisters, etc. This house takes care of the sisters who are sick and need the medical care.

Nirmala Convent, Vijayawada (1963)
The community was started in a rented house at Patamata. The School also was started on the same day. It is an English Medium School from LKG to class X. This house also served as the Regional Head Quarters from 4th April 1966 to 22/2/1983. From 1st September 1968, the Novitiate also was in Nirmala Convent, VJA, until it was shifted to Amalapuram in 1991. One Sister (Sr. Laura) is in-charge of mobile evangelisation team that comprise of a group of enthusiastic men. She goes to different villages and even to other Dioceses in Andhra Pradesh to present Gospel message through drama. One Sister (Sr. Gertrude) is in charge of the MSI Lay Associates. The pastoral and catechetical work is very much active through the sisters in the parish and they do teach catechism to the students regularly on Sundays.
The Aspirants and postulants who are studying in the nearby college too stay in this community.

At the request of Bishop De Batista, the then bishop of Vijayawada, the community at Machilipatnam was opened on 12th June 1965, keeping in mind the charism of evangelisation. This community witnessed the terrific cyclone in the year 1977. The community consists of 11 Sisters, who are involved in different activities specially teaching. There is an English medium co-educational School from nursery to class X. Pastoral work is carried out every Sunday and sometimes also on weekdays. After the great Tsunami hit in 2006, one of the sisters (Sr. Vandana) has been working for the Tsunami relief program in this area.

It is a small community which was started in the year 1967 on the request of Bishop De Battista, for the medical care of the people around. Recently, in the year 2005, the hospital was closed down and was transformed into catechetical centre for the training of catechists (St. Joseph’s Catechetical Centre) and to promote pastoral work. At present, there are 4 Sisters who are fully involved in pastoral and catechetical work and render their full cooperation and help to the Parish. Every day they visit families and conduct prayers.

His Excellency Rt.Rev.Bishop Grassi PIME invited the first batch of six Italian sisters who arrived in Gudivada on 28-09-1948 to saw the seed of faith; they established the first community ‘SACRED HEART CONVENT.’ The members are engaged in the social, educational, catechetical and medical fields while priority is given to direct evangelization of non-Christians. The charism of the congregation is directly and indirectly carried out through this community. They mainly involved in the educational and healing ministry. There is a 75-beded hospital and a Telugu medium High School, aided by the government. There is a boarding which shelters 250 students, who mostly come from a very poor background. They are helped to study with the aid of the many generous benefactors. There is also an English medium school up to class 5. The sisters are engaged very much in the Catechetical work in the parish.

The Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, the first indigenous congregation in the North East India was founded on Oct 24, 1942, at Gawahati, Assam, by His Excellency, Stephen Ferrando sdb. Started with eight local girls, the congregation today has 648 professed Sisters, working in 104 centers spread over 24 dioceses. It was raised to the Pontifical status on 21 March, 1977. The Congregation is dedicated first and foremost to the missionary apostolic evangelization and catechetical instruction, especially of women folk and children in villages. They began their work in the diocese on 14th June, 1997, at Ventrapragada.

Shanthi Bhavan was started on 14th June 1997 by Rt. Rev. Bp. Marampudi Joji D.D the then Bishop of Vijayawada. These sisters look after Sacred Heart English Medium High School and Missionary apostolate in the neighbouring villages. The Motto of the congregation is: Walk an Extra Mile.

Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver was founded on 29th April 1894 by Blessed Mary Teresa Ledochowska in Austria. Its aim is to help the missionary Church all over the world especially in Africa. On 7th March 1910, the Congregation was raised to Pontifical Rite. The motto of our congregation is: “The most divine of the divine thing is to co – operate for the salvation of the souls”. The specific Charism is the “Missionary Animation” – to make aware every Christian of their baptismal call to be missionaries and to instill in them love and enthusiasm for the missions. The sisters started a house in 1981 in Gannavaram, helping in the pastoral work, and helping in the Holy Childhood Association. The sisters are running a Hostel for school children and helping in the pastoral work.

Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit (S.Sp.S) was founded on 8th December 1889 by Blessed Arnold Janssen with Blessed Maria Helena Stollenwerk, Mother Josepha Hendrina Stennmans at Styel, Netherlands. To give honour and glory to God, one and triune, doing all we can to make Him known, loved and glorified by all people is the charism of the Congregation. The motto is proclamation of the Word of God through evangelization; reaching out to ‘frontier mission’ especially to places where the word of god is not at all preached or insufficiently where the local church is not available itself. There are about 3500 members working in about 46 countries around the globe. In the Diocese they began their mission on 1st June 1993 at Kuchipudi. They serve in these realms: education, health care, social activities, pastoral care, youth ministry, JPIC (Justice, peace and integrity of creative) HIV/AIDS, street children, caring for the aged, etc. They began their ministry in the diocese of Vijayawada in the year 1992 in the parish of Kuchipudi.

The Congregation of Regular Franciscan Sisters has their origin from the “Sisters of Penance” and it was founded in Italy by a group of women who had started to live the life and spirit of St. Francis of Assisi in 1711 at Ognissanti in Florence. Their apostolate in the Church consists in giving moral and intellectual education to the children, taking care of the sick and old in the hospitals and at homes, serving the poor children in the orphanages, assisting in the parish activities. In the beginning the nature of the congregation was Contemplative and there was restriction to taking the members. At present the strength of the congregation has 368 professed sisters working in three countries Italy, India and Brazil. They started their house in the diocese in 1994 at Chillakallu.

The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, commonly known as Salesian sisters, was founded by St. John Bosco and the Co-foundress St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello at Mornese in Italy in 1872. The Salesian sisters undertake the work of conducting schools of every type including professional and technical schools, especially for the poor and the marginalized, as their charism is to care for the poor and abandoned youth especially girls. The Salesian sisters at present number about 16,350 and are working in 1583 centers of 87 nations spread over in the six continents. During the death centenary of St. John Bosco 1988, the sisters were invited by Bishop Thumma Joseph to open a house at Siluvagiri Nagar, Nandigama and their first house in the Vijayawada diocese was founded in 1988.

The congregation of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) has its origin at Champakulam in the Diocese of Chaganacherry in Kerala on 8th December 1908. The first and foremost apostolate is the Eucharistic Apostolate. Besides the Eucharistic Apostolate, we extend our service in the field of education, healing, social welfare and missionary activities as to the Pontifical status by His Holiness Pope Paul VI. The services of our sisters are available in 96 Dioceses across the world. At present the congregation has 17 Provinces and 2 Regions with the services of nearly 5000 sisters.

Our first house in this Diocese started in the year of 1987 July 2nd at Enikepadu. Now we have three houses in this Diocese with different apostolic activities such as Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, education, healing ministry and pastoral work, etc. From the beginning this house was named as Karunalayam. The main aim of having this community here is to have a health care centre to help the people in surrounding villages and to give initial formation for the candidates. In 2005 this house was erected as Regional House of Andhra Pradesh and we have 11 houses under this region working in five dioceses.

Members in the diocese : 18
Candidates : 15
Houses in the Diocese : 03

Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod were founded at Chavanod in France in 1938 by Fr. Peter Mermier and Mother Claudine Echernier. The Congregation’s main aim is to educate the youth. They conduct schools, colleges, technical schools, dispensaries, homes for the disabled etc. It has nine Provinces and two Delegations. The Province of Thiruchurapally opened their first house in Vijayawada diocese in 1988 at Kambhampadu.

The community at Gudivada was started at the invitation of Rt. Rev. Joseph Thumma, the then Bishop of the Vijayawada in the year 1992. The main purpose and aim is to participate in the missionary activities of the church and to start an English medium school to support the differently challenged girl children at Kambhampadu. Sisters mostly engaged in education both formal and informal, healing ministries, pastoral, Catechetical and social activities in the society wherever they are placed. They also have a home for the differently challenged in different dioceses. they also participates in the other activities of the parish like, family visits, October Rosary, preparation for Christ Mass during lent prepare people for Easter celebration.

Subhodayam is an extension mission of Kambhampadu. It has a programme for the physically handicapped children. Among these some are drop outs and orphans and semi orphans. To uplift these young girls, sisters started an extended community of Vijayawada – Nulakapeta under Joji Nagar Parish. We have a vocational training centre for the physically challenged young girls for their better future.

In 1984, the Bishop of Vijayawada, Rt. Rev. Joseph Thumma D.D., requested the Superior General of the Sisters of Destitute, Rev. Sr. James S.D., to start a convent in Kankipadu. Though the Counsellors came and saw the place, they did not make any decision. Later in 1986, after the division of the provinces, the then Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Thumma invited the sisters once again to the diocese through Rev.Fr. Matthew Kalpaleacherry, the Principle of St. Francis School, Machilipatnam. Then the Superior General Sr. Amabilis forwarded the invitation to St.Joseph’s Province’s Provincial Sr. Savio S.D. The Bishop requested the Provincial to start a convent at least by 1st week of Jan, 1987. So, the Provincial Sr. Savio consented to send two sisters namely, Sr. Jean and Sr. Maria Teresa to stay in the first floor of presbytery and start the ministry from 09.01.1987. From then onwards the mission of the Sisters of Destitute had been started in the Parish of Kankipadu. Later they built a hospital in order to serve the poor, destitute and the sick. Today it is well known in the diocese of Vijayawada as Arogyamatha Hospital, Kankipadu.

It was founded by venerable Don Givanni Battista Rubino, a diocesan priest of Alba, Italy, on 15th October 1815 at La Morra, Italy .The Congregation has the initial O.S.L (Oblate di San Luigi). Don Rubino founded this congregation for the sisters to dedicate their lives for the greater glory of God. We also collaborate with the parish in various activities: Teaching catechism, promoting moral values, participating in liturgy, visiting the families etc. The work of evangelization is done by witnessing Christ and His Gospel mainly through the charitable services. Being faithful to the original charism and renewed apostolic spirit, the congregation has expanded to India, in the Archdiocese of Bombay at Bandra. They began their convent in Vijayawada diocese in the year 1975.

The Congregation was founded in Turin – Italy, by a married couple Marquis and Marchioness of Barolo in the year 1834. This religious institute dedicates itself to the education, Christian formation of children and young girls belonging to the needy and less wealthy families without however neglecting the children and young girls belonging to the other social positions. Besides this the congregation would be ready to render any other charitable service required by the needs of the time and consistent with the character and the aim of the institute. There are about 1,185 members working in about ten countries. They opened their first house in the diocese in 1895.

Congregation of the Sisters of St. Mary Magdalene Postel (SMMP) was founded by St. Mary Magdalene Postel a woman of dynamic personality and great faith. During the French revolution she was allowed to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in her home, to give Communion to the faithful and to take the Sacrament to the sick and the dying. Through daily Communion she derived the courage to risk her life in sheltering priests and helping them to escape to England. After the revolution, France was in turmoil. St. Mary Magdalene’s vision was to rebuild the Church through the education of the young, placing special emphasis on family life and role of the Mother in the home.

In response to the needs of the time, she founded her congregation in 1807 at Cherbourg in France. She envisaged a community where prayer and work are inseparably linked, following Jesus in His love and concern for others. Inspired by her apostolic spirit, ‘I would go to the ends of the world to win a soul for Christ,’ we have become an international congregation, living her charism in Africa, Asia, South America and throughout Europe, trying to ‘alleviate every form of suffering’ through teaching, nursing, pastoral work and caring for the poor and neglected. It came to India on 22nd June 1994 at Punalur in Kerala by Italian province and 4th October 2001 in Ernakulum at Kuttikattukara. In our diocese they started their house in Siluvagirinagar parish on 29th December 2008.

The society of the Sisters of St. Ann was founded by Rector Rev. Fr. Wilhelm Meyer in 1909 at Luzern, Switzerland to continue the works of Mercy and Compassion of Jesus “To the least ones” in a spirit of active charity and cheerfulness, enabling the sisters to “Walk in the presence of God.” The charism of the Congregation is ‘Live to Reveal the Merciful Love of God.’ The members devote themselves of medical, educational, social, evangelization and other charitable works. The pioneers of India Missionary Sisters from Switzerland arrived in Visakhapatnam in the year 1927. The sisters worked in different institutions and Hospitals run by the Government in the beginning. With their savings and with the help of the Government they started St. Ann’s Hospital in Vijayawada in the year 1940. Slowly and steadily number of institutions were established to cater to the needs of the people; with a special focus to the poor and marginalized. At present there are 809 sisters working in India, Africa, Italy and Rome. The society has 3 provinces in India. Central Province has its Provincial House in Vijayawada diocese. This Province has 27 communities spread out in 10 dioceses of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh of which Vijayawada diocese has the maximum number of communities.

Prasanth Bhavan was started as the Provincial House of the entire society of St. Ann in the year 1985. As the Society was divided into 3 regions and later on into Provinces, at present it is the Provincial House of the Central Province. There are 11 Sisters in the community out of which 2 are student sisters. Here we conduct retreats for the entire province, seminars and courses from time to time. Besides the sisters, 11 student candidates are here staying and going to college. Being the Provincial House, there are number of programmes organized throughout the year, such as retreats, seminars, courses, Superiors meetings and H.Ms meeting.

St. Ann’s Health Centre, Ajithsingnagar was started in the year 1972. This centre takes care of the poor and needy patients of the locality by free and concessional treatment. In the year 1988 St. Ann’s School, Ajithsingnagar was established to cater to the needs of the poor and down trodden children in Ajithsingnagar which is a rural area at the request of Vijayawada Municipality. Vijayawada Municipality was kind enough to donate the land free of cost to commemorate the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi in the year 1969.

Two Sisters, Sr. Christina and Sr. Mary Cherian came to Avanigadda parish at the request of PIME missionary priest in the year 1966. They were staying at Parish and were going to the villages of Challapalli, Koduru and Nagayalanka to evangelize the people. The community was built on 8th September 1979 and was blessed by Most Rev. Bishop Joseph Thumma. Sisters of St. Ann’s are rendering number of services in the health care of the poor and downtrodden of Avanigadda and surrounding villages. Most of the people are agricultural and casual labourers who depend on rain for cultivation. 70% of the people live in poverty and misery. Besides the hospital there is English Medium School, Telugu Medium School and social apostolate activities and Evangelization.

Deepthi Bhavan was inaugurated in the year 1998 as the Generalate of the Society of the Sisters of St. Ann, Luzern in India. Later on in 2004 when the Generalate was shifted to Secunderabad it is converted as a hostel for college girls. At present there are 8 sisters residing, out of which 3 are student sisters.

St. Ann’s Home, Gunadala was started in 1999. It is a home for the elderly sisters to pray and rest in the evening of their life. It is the power house of the Province because of the continuous prayer and adoration offered by our sisters all throughout the year. Sisters from all the communities of our province take their turn to pray for a week. The young sisters who are posted either for community experience or for studies make the community vibrant.

Subodaya convent was started in the year 2001. This is the formation house of the Province i.e. candidacy and Postulancy. Sisters at Guntupally together with the formees are doing wonderful work in the parish and also in the neighboring villages by collaborating for Prison Ministry. They also do neighborhood ministries: Visiting the sick, elderly people and conducting prayer service in the families etc.

St. Ann’s Hospital, Jaggayyapeta started in the year 1944 with bed strength of 100. Mother Walburga is the founder of the hospital. She was well known for her charitable works to the poor, orphans and the Lepers of the locality. There is a separate house built for the Lepers. She is known as the Mother Theresa of Jaggayyapeta. Sisters are engaged in Health Care, Education, Social work and Evangelization. They also care for the poor children in the boarding, children affected with HIV/AIDS and manage Balawadi and tailoring centers to help the poor and needy.

St. Ann’s Hospital, Kondapally was inaugurated in the year 1961 to cater to the health needs of the people of the locality. They are also engaged in the education of the poor and marginalized and also involve in the pastoral care.

St. Ann’s Snehasadan, Nunna was established in the year 2001. It is one of the leading NGOs in Andhra Pradesh fighting for the cause of those afflicted with AIDS, especially women and children. Today it stands as a source of consolation and ray of hope to those people who are rejected, neglected and unwanted by their own people and society. They have established good linkages with government and non-governmental agencies. Snehasadan receives large number of patients through referrals from government and non-governmental institutions and private nursing homes.

St. Catherine’s Hospital was established in the year 1967. At present only outpatient department is functioning. The English Medium School was started in 1994 with the state syllabus. To cater to the needs of the poor children’s education there is vernacular school. The Sisters render their services to the poor and marginalized through Social work. Sisters take active participation in parish ministry and Evangelization.

St. Ann’s Hospital, Vijayawada was started in the year 1940 by Mother Elizabeth Affentranger and her team of sisters at the repeated request of people and civil authorities of Vijayawada. It is situated in the heart of Vijayawada city. The then Government of Madras donated the land. In 1944 Mother Elizabeth started Midwifery course for young girls in Telugu. In 1946 Training for lower grade Midwives was started. In 1950 advanced grade of midwifery was started in English. In 1954 General Nursing training was started and recognized by the Madras Government. St. Ann’s Hospital is catering to the health needs of thousands of patients in and around Krishna District. A 30 bedded hospital when it was started and now it is a 350 bedded hospital with medical, surgical, pediatrics, gynecology, trauma unit and well equipped operation theaters, ICU, C arm etc. The spacious OPD is a great boon to the hospital; it provides all the facilities under one roof. There is 24 hours service at casuality, pharmacy, Laboratory, X-Ray, ECG, Ultrasound scan, Colour Doppler etc. St. Ann’s Society, right from its inception has focused on training personnel both in Switzerland and in India. Central Province has the privilege of having the first Nursing school of the Society in India, in its territory. This is the largest community in Central province consisting of 53 sisters of different age groups.

St. Ann’s Rehabilitation Centre is started in the year 2005 for the rehabilitation of Rag Pickers families. This is an international community. The plight of the homeless living along side of Bandar Canal in Krishna Lanka kindled a spark in the heart of Sr. Gnanaselvi which she fanned to flame and letting it set on fire many more hearts. To create a model village by providing greater choices and opportunities to the under privileged sections of homeless mothers and children (who earn their living by rag picking) and to empower them to live a decent and value based life. Nearly 20 families are identified and are living in this centre. There are many programmes like: Balwadi, Dropout programme, skill training, MCH programme, summer classes, income generating activities and hostel for Migrant Labourers and children.

The Congregation was founded in 3rd March 1845 at Colmar in France by Fr. Pieer Paul Blank. The charism of the Congregation is perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, education of the Blessed Sacrament, education of the children and care of the sick and the poor. Our motto is ‘From worship to service and from service to Worship’. The congregation is spread over in France, Germany, U.S.A, Ukraine, Philippines and India. St. Joseph as our patron, St. Anne and St. Theresa of Avila are the second patroness. The congregation was raised to the pontifical status in 1994. In India we have two provinces at Indore and Angamaly Sanjo in Kerala. Under Sanjo Provinces we have 10 houses in Kerala, six in U.P, four in Andhra Pradesh and three houses in Maharashtra. In Andhra Pradesh we started the first community at Bhimadolu in Eluru diocese (1990). The second Community started at Enikepadu in Vijayawada on 13th July 2002 by the interest of Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu. This is a formation house. Candidates here undergo a three years formation that, come and see and Aspirancy.

This Congregation of Sisters of St. Anne Phirangipuram was originally founded by Smt. Thatipatri Gnanamma on 4th October 1874 at Kilacheri, Tamilnadu. The first branch was started in 1882 at Phirangipuram in the diocese of Guntur, the native village of the foundress. The congregation was bifurcated in 1897 from the Mother House. It is raised to a religious Institute of Pontifical Right on 13th April 1999. This Congregation does Missionary, Medical and Educational Apostolates. At present we have 65 houses, five houses outside A. P and one in USA. Realizing the significance and dire necessity we have opened English medium school and convent at Nuzvid on 12th June 1973 as our first house in the diocese of Vijayawada. After 25years, on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee Telugu medium high school was opened on 12th June 1998.

Joseph’s convent, Payakapuram was started on 5th August 1995 at the invitation of Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph Thumma and was inaugurated by Mother Mary Ignatius Loyola, the superior general of the congregation of the sisters of the sisters of St. Ann, PPM. It was establishesd to give value based education at the Payakapuram town to the children of all communities. The other apostolic works undertaken by our sisters are evangelization and Pastoral work, to give the people faith formation and to impart gospel values.

By the kind invitation of Rt. Rev. Dr. Marampudi Joji, the then Bishop of Vijayawada our community was opened on 2nd July 1998. The main work of this house is to educate the poor especially S.C, B.C and O.C Categories. Apostolates undertaken by sisters include: Evangelization, teaching Catechism preparing them for First Holy Communion.

St. Clare’s Convent was bifurcated from St. Ann’s Convent Community on 9th November 2001 and was blessed by Msgr. Jacob Kanjarathuigal with prayer service. Some of the class rooms were converted into Girls Hostel. Hostel block was blessed by Rev. Fr .John Leonchini PIME, Rector of the Apostolic School, Nuzvid.

The Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph started in the year 1822 in Holland by Rev. Fr. Mathias Wolf SJ for the Education of young girls. The Charism of the society is “Ever adaptable apostolic availability”. According to the need of the time and place, the society takes up various Apostolates. The members devote themselves to medical, educational, pastoral and social works. The society has 2000 members working in various countries such as Nederland, Indonesia, Africa, Rome and India. In 1904 the sisters came to India and opened the first house in Guntur district. In 1973 a house was started a Hanuman Junction in the diocese of Vijayawada to take care of the health and educational needs of the people. In 1992, the second house, J.M.J. Nilayam was started at Satyanarayanapuram.

We the J.M.J Sisters arrived at Hanuman Junction in the year 1973 on the invitation of Rev. Dr. Joseph Thumma (late) Bishop of Vijayawada to meet the accurate need of Education in this rural area. The Bishop had donated about 14 acres of land. At present 14 sisters are in Christu Jyothi Nilayam community involved in the apostolate of Evangelization, Education, Health care and Community college.

The society of Sisters of St. Anne was founded by Thatipathri Gnanamma, a lay woman. She was an ordinary woman of the 19th Century from Phirangipuram village in Guntur District, A.P. South India. As a widow at the age of 37, Gnanamma moved to Kilachery village, 60 KM from Chennai. She saw the plight of girls condemned to ignorance and oppression due to illiteracy and identified education as the principal means of empowering them. To realize this vision, she started a school for girls in 1863.To continue this important mission of educating young girls and to further expand it to other areas, she started in 1874 in Kilachery, a religious congregation for women, known as: The sisters of St. Anne, Chennai. Their religious life rests on two pillars “Experience of God’s love: Service for the integral development of the downtrodden. Since the crying need of those times was education, education of children and young girls was chosen as the main apostolate of the congregation. Today they have entered other fields such as Medical, Social, Work and Social Action etc., to meet the needs of the Church in India. In 1979, His Holiness Pope John Paul II raised this diocesan Congregation to the rank of pontifical right. At present they have 3 provinces: Bangalore, Chennai and Thanjavur.

The congregation of teaching sisters of St. Dorothy Daughters of the Sacred Hearts had its origin at Vicenza in the year 1836 by Mons. John Antony Farina. Specific purpose of our congregation is to educate the poor girls. We bear witness to the love of the sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary through our pastoral activities like teaching, nursing, catechism, mariyadalam, youth animation, village visiting looking after the deaf and dumb children taking care of the elderly, mentally retarded. Our congregation came to India in Aluva in 1983. We came to our diocese of Vijayawada in 1999 to give education to the marginalized, to take care of the poor and to animate the people into Christian faith.

The Congregation was founded in Somasca (Bergamo) in North Italy, in 1857 by the Servant of God, Mother Caterina Cittadini. The first house in India was stared in Mysore in 1978. They have 450 members working in Italy, Belgium, Francie, Switzerland, and India. Their first house in the diocese was opened at Arugolanu on 15th June 1994 and was blessed by Most Rev. Joseph Thumma.

The Institute of the Ursuline Sisters of Mary Immaculate was founded at Piacenza, Northern Italy, in 1649 by the venerable Mother Brigida Morello (Bright of Jesus). The special end of the Institute is the education of girls in the spirit of the Catholic faith and instructing them in all branches of knowledge and work suitable to their condition. The Institute in 1934 extended its activities to mission lands and now specializes in educational, medical and social works. They opened their first house in Kaikaluru in 1998. They are currently rendering their services in the Holy Cross Eng. Med. School at Atapaka, Kaikaluru. At present four sisters are rendering their service in the school. They also extend their medical services to the villages under the Kaikaluru Parish by way of mobile clinics. Sister Lissy with a team of health workers are carrying on with this admirable work of service serving a number of poor patients. There are two sisters set apart for the pastoral care in the parish as well as in the villages under the parish. They are on the process of having a second community in Andhra Pradesh at Azzampudi, for the initial formation of candidates from Andhra Pradesh.

The Congregation was founded in 1897 by Mother Marie Louise De Mester at Mulagumoodu; Kanyakumari Dt (T.N.) Its apostolate is in the educational, social, technical and medical spheres. Deep interior life and undaunted apostolic zeal for the poor is the charism of the Congregation. They opened their first house in the Diocese of Vijayawada in 1990 at Musunuru. Since it was a contract, they stayed there for 6years. Again in 1997 they have opened their house at Vatsavai and are engaged in Socio-Pastoral and women-development programmes.

Provinces in India : 01
Members in the Diocese : 02
Houses in the Diocese : 01

The C.R.I. (Conference of the Religious of India) Unit of the diocese of Vijayawada for Women Religious was inaugurated in meeting held at Nirmala Convent on June 20, 1971 under the patronage of His Lordship Joseph Thumma, the local Ordinary. Ever since it has been active in organizing summer courses, seminars, conferences and retreats for the Sisters with a view to deepening their religious spirit and promoting their professional efficiency.

In the mean while, during a meeting of the Brothers of the diocese on October 28, 1979 to plan follow-up action to the All India Brothers Convention in Pune, the idea of a separate unit for the Brothers was mooted, and accordingly the C.R.I. Unit for Brothers of the diocese was inaugurated in November 1980 at the Pastoral Centre. There were 40 professed Brothers in the diocese at that time.

However in line with the thinking of the National C.R.I. a single Unit for all religious – Priests, Brothers and Sisters – Was considered more advantageous at the diocesan level. A meeting of all the Religious therefore was convened and the combined Unit was inaugurated at the Catholic Centre on February 19, 1984, the Constitution of the Unit was approved.

The Conference of Religious seeks to be a dynamic and proactive presence of Church, particularly with those on the margins of society. The Conference of Religious exists for the benefit of all religious of the dioceses. It aims to unite its membership in collaborative initiatives translating gospel vision into reality, and to offer support to those in positions of leadership. The purpose of Conference of Religious is to represent the leaders of religious life. This representation happens in two main ways: We encourage collaboration among leaders on major issues facing religious today and promote programmes for future formation.
We aim to address current issues from a Catholic perspective, acting as a prophetic voice on behalf of all religious. The Executive is made up of 8 elected members including the President and Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and four elected members.

The C.R.I. Unit of Vijayawada runs Courses for the formation of Sisters every year at the Pastoral Centre, Carmelnagar. The Course is conducted generally in the month of May by various lectures invited from all over India on such subjects as – Theology, Catechetics, Liturgy, Scripture and Missiology, in Telugu and English alternatively. About 50 Sisters are admitted for the Course every year.